Man takes action to help woman driver on I-64 before car engulfs in flames

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NORFOLK, Va. - A Chesapeake man helped get a woman out of her car after a hit-and-run crash on Interstate 64, just before the car burst into flames.

Gary Morris says he was driving on I-64 Westbound, before the Norview Avenue exit, just before 3:30 p.m.

"I felt like I was there at that particular moment for a particular reason."

Morris says he first noticed a car pull over that seemed to be involved in an accident, then he saw a Nissan Altima spin out of control and eventually crash into the center Jersey wall.

"I honestly came about a foot away from the car when I came to a stop," he says. "There was a slight adrenaline rush but there's also something that kicks in that says, 'OK what am I to do next?'"

Morris says he called 9-1-1. With the help of three men in a Penske truck that also pulled over to assist, they got the driver out of her car and brought her to Morris' car where she could sit in the air-conditioning. Morris says she was OK, but seemed to be in shock.

He says that is when they noticed the previously harmless smoke coming from her car, escalated to heavy black smoke and flames.

"Those guys were heroes for doing that, I'm just thankful I was there at the time just to help her also get out of the car and contact police," he says. "Anyone would have done it if they were right there too, I just happened to be right behind her."

Virginia State Police say they were called to the crash and there were no injuries.

A spokeswoman says it is being investigated as a hit-and-run, but witnesses could not give a specific car or license plate description.